Top places to visit in Bagan

• Ananda Temple

  Buddhist temple · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bagan's most magnificent and best-preserved temple — built in 1105, dedicated to infinite wisdom. The gleaming white and gold 51-metre tower enshrines four giant golden standing Buddhas facing the cardinal directions.

• Shwezigon Pagoda

  pagoda · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bagan's most important pilgrimage pagoda — the 11th-century prototype for all Burmese bell-shaped stupas. The gilded central stupa is flanked by smaller pagodas and a famed nats (spirit) shrine.

• Dhammayangyi Temple

  Buddhist temple · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bagan's largest and most brooding temple — built by King Narathu in the 1170s with brick joints so tight that a needle could not pass between them. The imposing dark mass dominates the central plain.

• Sulamani Temple

  Buddhist temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Known as the "crowning jewel" of Bagan's temples, built in 1183 and famed for exceptional exterior carvings and well-preserved interior frescoes. One of the finest examples of late Bagan-period architecture.

• Htilominlo Temple

  Buddhist temple · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A beautifully detailed 46-metre temple built in 1218 featuring intricate plaster carvings, original glazed tiles, and well-preserved interior frescoes. Located near Nyaung-U and easily reached from guesthouses.

• Bagan Viewing Tower (Nan Myint)

  observation tower · 3.9 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The official observation tower in Nyaung-U offering 360-degree views across the temple plain at sunrise and sunset — the definitive bird's-eye perspective of Bagan's 2,000+ pagodas.

• Bagan Archaeological Museum

  archaeological museum · 3.8 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A well-curated museum displaying recovered artefacts from the ancient city — sculptures, ceramics, coins, votive tablets, and inscriptions from the 9th to 13th centuries — with good contextual information in English.

• Thatbyinnyu Temple

  Temple · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

• Gawdawpalin Temple

  Temple · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

• Manuha Temple

  Temple · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

• Nanpaya Temple

  Temple · about 0.4 h · check the fee at the gate

• Mingalazedi Pagoda

  Temple · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

Things to do

• Hot Air Balloon Over Bagan Adventure · 1 h · from MMK 618,000 per person
• E-Bike Temple Discovery Tour Cycling · 5 h · from MMK 48,500 per person
• Ayeyarwady Sunset River Cruise Boat · 1.5 h · from MMK 55,200 per person
• Ananda Temple Sunrise Photography Walk Historical Tour · 2 h · from MMK 61,800 per person
• Lacquerware Village Workshop — Nyaung-U Arts Crafts · 2.5 h · from MMK 39,700 per person

Day trips and tours

• Bagan Sunrise to Sunset Temple Day 14 h · from MMK 159,000
• Bagan Balloon & Temple Morning 6 h · from MMK 706,000

Where to stay in Bagan

• Old Bagan about MMK 12,000 per night

  Staying inside the Archaeological Zone puts you amid the temples themselves — sunrise from your hotel garden is a real possibility. Luxury and boutique resorts dominate; budget options are limited here.

• Nyaung-U Town about MMK 2,500 per night

  The lively market town 4 km east of Old Bagan is the budget and mid-range hub — packed with guesthouses, restaurants and e-bike rental shops. Better for sociable travellers and those watching costs.

Hotels

• Aureum Palace Hotel Bagan 5-star · MMK 200,000 to MMK 550,000 per night
• Ostello Bello Bagan 2-star · MMK 12,000 to MMK 45,000 per night
• Bagan Thande Hotel 4-star · MMK 90,000 to MMK 200,000 per night
• Bagan Central Hotel 3-star · MMK 40,000 to MMK 80,000 per night
• Amata Garden Resort Bagan 4-star · MMK 55,000 to MMK 130,000 per night
• Bagan Lodge 4-star · MMK 45,000 to MMK 100,000 per night

Where to eat

• Be Kind to Animals (BKTA) Burmese, Vegetarian · about MMK 5,000 per person
• The Moon Restaurant Nyaung-U Burmese, International · about MMK 4,500 per person
• Sarabha II Restaurant Burmese, International · about MMK 8,000 per person
• Black Bamboo Restaurant Burmese, Chinese · about MMK 5,000 per person
• Aroma 2 Indian · about MMK 6,000 per person
• Sanon Restaurant Western, Burmese, Fusion · about MMK 15,000 per person
• Weather Spoon's Restaurant and Bar Western, Burmese · about MMK 10,000 per person
• Queen Restaurant Burmese, Chinese · about MMK 7,000 per person

Getting to Bagan

Airport: Bagan (NYU)

How visitors arrive in Bagan

• Flight into Nyaung U airport By air from Yangon / Mandalay · common

  Nyaung U airport has flights from Yangon and Mandalay. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Mandalay or Yangon By road from Mandalay / Yangon · common

  Long-distance buses arrive at the highway bus terminal near Nyaung U. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train By train from Yangon / Mandalay · possible

  Overnight trains run from Yangon and services run from Mandalay. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Boat down the Irrawaddy By ferry from Mandalay · possible

  Ferries from Mandalay dock at Nyaung U jetty; not possible in the low-water months. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi or hotel pickup from Nyaung U airport unconfirmed

  The airport is just south of Nyaung U, near the Bagan area. Many hotels arrange pickup; otherwise take a taxi and agree the fare first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drivers may claim your hotel has closed to steer you elsewhere. Confirm with the hotel directly and arrange transport through it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Train from Yangon or Mandalay unconfirmed

  Bagan railway station lies a short way south of the bus terminal. Trains are slow and the overnight service may not run in the low season. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drivers may claim your hotel has closed to steer you elsewhere. Confirm with the hotel directly and arrange transport through it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the port to the centre

• River boat from Mandalay unconfirmed

  Boats from Mandalay dock at the Nyaung U jetty or Old Bagan pier. River travel is not possible in the lowest-water months. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drivers may claim your hotel has closed to steer you elsewhere. Confirm with the hotel directly and arrange transport through it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Long-distance bus to Bagan Highway Terminal

  Buses from Mandalay, Yangon and Inle Lake arrive at the Bagan Shwe Pyi terminal south of Nyaung U. Terminal taxis are controlled by a local group and quote high; consider walking to the road for a shared ride. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drivers may claim your hotel has closed to steer you elsewhere. Confirm with the hotel directly and arrange transport through it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
• Visitors arriving by road or boat pass a checkpoint where the archaeological zone ticket is bought; bring your passport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle

  Bicycles can be hired from many hotels, and the terrain is flat, though sandy dry-season paths to remote temples are harder going.

• Car With Driver

  Chauffeured cars can be arranged for getting around the temples, including through the tourist information office in New Bagan.

• Scooter Rental

  E-bikes are the scooter-style option on the temple plain, with single-seat and two-seat models that cope with heat better than pedal bikes.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced and damaged e-bike claims

  Nyaung-U e-bike rental shops

  On return, rental shops claim pre-existing scratches or damage were caused by you and demand large cash payments. Some shops rent bikes with pre-existing faults to enable this.

  How to avoid it: Photograph the bike thoroughly (all angles) before leaving the rental shop and show the photos to the shopkeeper. Use a reputable shop with written rental agreements.

• Unsolicited temple "guide" demands payment

  Remote temple sites in the Bagan plains

  A person stationed at a minor temple offers helpful information, then demands payment that was never agreed. The amount requested can be aggressive.

  How to avoid it: Make clear upfront that you are not hiring a guide. If someone volunteers information unsolicited, a small token is fine but not obligatory. For official guides, agree price before starting.

Best time to visit Bagan

• Jan 32°C
• Feb 35°C
• Mar 36°C
• Apr 37°C
• May 33°C
• Jun 30°C
• Jul 30°C
• Aug 30°C
• Sep 30°C
• Oct 32°C
• Nov 32°C
• Dec 32°C

More in Myanmar

• Yangon
• Nyaungshwe
• Mandalay
• Kyaiktiyo
• Ngapali
• Hpa-An

Frequently asked questions about Bagan

How many days do you need in Bagan?

A typical trip to Bagan is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Bagan?

The highest-rated places in our Bagan guide are Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, Sulamani Temple, Dhammayangyi Temple, Htilominlo Temple.

Where should I stay in Bagan?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bagan: Old Bagan, Nyaung-U Town.

How do I get around Bagan?

Ways to get around Bagan covered in our guide: Bicycle, Car with driver, Scooter rental, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Bagan?

Scams reported to us for Bagan include Overpriced and damaged e-bike claims; Unsolicited temple "guide" demands payment. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Bagan?

Average daytime highs in Bagan run from 30°C in Jun to 37°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Bagan?

The nearest airport to Bagan has the code NYU.